Any Takers?
Going into a playoff against a hungry Tim Cahill and the Socceroos is no simple task. Australia come off a confidence boosting second-leg victory Tuesday over Syria in the AFC playoff (2-1). Overall, the Aussies win their playoff on aggregate (3-2). Tons of scenarios can play out tonight, where the likes of Chris Wondolowski and the U.S., Anibal Godoy and Panama or Honduras could finish fourth in the CONCACAF table and face the Aussies next month.
It’s clear that if the U.S. is victorious over Trinidad and Tobago tonight, the red, white and blue will mathematically secure the last remaining automatic bid. However, Panama or Honduras can automatically qualify (assuming either side wins and the U.S. loses). Let’s see what happens tonight.
Current Table for North, Central America and Caribbean
1. x Mexico – 21 (6-0-3, +10)
2. x Costa Rica – 16 (4-1-4, +7)
3. United States – 12 (3-3-3, +5)
4. Panama – 10 (2-3-4, -2)
5. Honduras – 10 (2-3-4, -7)
6. Trinidad and Tobago – 3 (1-8-0, -13)
x – Qualified
Matchups this Week
Tuesday, Oct. 10
USA vs. Trinidad and Tobago – 5:00 p.m. PT
Costa Rica vs. Panama – 5:00 p.m. PT
Mexico vs. Honduras – 5:00 p.m. PT
Inter-confederation Playoff
Monday, Nov. 6
First Leg
Australia vs. TBD
Tuesday, Nov. 14
Second Leg
Australia vs. TBD